Archive for July 16, 2012

Buy a Perfect Bicycle for a Cycling Trip

Before I took this job to write articles about cycling, I almost know nothing about the sport. But now, I became a fan of cycling for it’s really a sport that can attract you from the beginning.

People like cycling for many different reasons. Some people are having a hard time keeping up with the rising cost of gasoline and maintenance bills, so they choose to ride a bike. Some decide to cycle because they want to have less of an impact on the environment when traveling. For me, I just simply like to ride.
Buy a Perfect Bicycle
Before becoming a cyclist, the first thing you should do is to buy yourself a good bike. This goes far beyond that simple as to buy a cloth. The basic key to choosing a bicycle is to buy a bicycle that you can sit on and rest your feet flat on the floor so that you can stop yourself. There are those who say that this isn’t the best way, though. They say that it is better to give yourself a few inches between your feet and the ground to create a more comfortable cycling experience. I think it’s all depends on the different cycling styles and your own taste.

Before you decided to buy a bicycle, you’d better take it for a test ride. Don’t just jump on and jump off though, take a nice little ride for at least a few minutes. Think about it: would you buy a car without taking it for a test drive? The same is true for buying a bicycle.

Make sure the bike is perfect for you. There shouldn’t be a problem in making the decision on whether or not the bike is the right size for you, but you should also keep in mind that it needs to fit your riding style as well. You wouldn’t want to waste money on a bicycle you don’t enjoy riding, would you?

People who are Not Suitable for Long Distance Cycling

Cycling is becoming more and more popular among many people in the modern society. As a simple and relax sport, however, you do not have to surprised that there are many people who are not suitable for long distance cycling. Every sport will have a certain degree of risk if you don’t know the rules about it. Here we will look at the people who are not suitable for long distance cycling and I believe this will help you a lot.
Cycling
1. Those that have heart diseases. These people have to avoid doing any strenuous exercises including basketball, football, ping-pang, running and climbing. And for them, cycling is a knid of strenuous exercise. Cycling will increase the burden on the heart and it may cause a very sudden onset.

2. Those that have high blood pressure. There are risks of sudden stroke in cycling, especially high-speed cycling for those people.

3. People suffering from epilepsy. If there is a sudden onset during cycling, there will be a great danger.

4. People who had brain surgery. These people have the potential for the occurrence of epilepsy.

5. People suffering from obliterans. It may cause pain in leg (especially in the calf and toe) when they are during a long time cycling. If there is such a situation, even walking will be difficult for them.

6. Pregnant women. Because the body is not flexible, there is a major security risk in the process of riding.

These are mostly the people that are not suitable for cycling, especially a long time cycling. We hope these people can take good care of their health and avoid strenuous exercises like high speed and long distance cycling.

Cycling in Summer Rain – Enjoy Yourself

As a cyclist, you may come across a variety of weather during your cycling trip. You may be upset about that bad weather on the road. However, in a more positive spirit, here are a few personal tips for coping with unseasonal rain as a cyclist. You’ll notice that some are contradictory–it’s a palette of choices, not a prescription. As ever, I’d love to hear your recommendations.
Cycling

Don’t over-dress

Getting steamed alive in too many layers is much worse than getting soaked on a bike. It’s easy to forget how quickly you warm up riding a bike. Even a temperature of about 10C (roughly what it was when I left for work this morning) will give you that horrible boil-in-a-bag feeling if you don the winter rainwear.

Invest in a lightweight rain jacket

Following on from the last point, if you can face the extra cost it’s worth having different bike jackets for the different seasons. In summer I use an absurdly flimsy version which packs down to nothing in my bag. OK, the rain will leak through in a heavy downpour, but it keeps any chill at bay.

Don’t forget the feet

One of the few exceptions to the above rules, for me at least, comes with the feet. I hate cycling in sodden shoes and socks. So sometimes I still use my winter neoprene overshoes, slightly S&M-looking as they are. Worn with shorts, as I did this morning, it delivers a look roughly 50% Torture Garden and 50% Don Estelle in It Aren’t Half Hot Mum. But your feet are dry.

Don’t worry about it too much

Rain in low temperature can be genuinely horrible, especially on long trips. But in the summer, especially if you have the luxury of getting changed at the end of the ride, it’s rarely that bad. Very often, by far the worst moment is opening the curtains and seeing the rain.

Necessary Cycling Equipments and How to Maintain Them

Cycling, as a new form of transport, is becoming more and more popular way to traveling. I know you are very envious of those who can put down all the fames and fortunes and step all over the mountains and rivers just with a bicycle. As everyone has a traveling dream, cycling became a great way to experience the real nature and learn the true meaning of life.

For those who spend half of their years on the bikes, a full range of riding equipments (include cycling clothes, helmets, repair tool kits, security stuffs and other things) is necessary. But for those who just cycle once or twice along the street in the evening a helmet and knee cap may be sufficient but the most at risk people are those who ride professionally. Such cyclists must absolutely have the full regalia before they can get onto the racing course. Cycling equipment must not just be bought but must also be kept in good shape at all times.
Cycling
Cycling equipment is designed to keep the cyclist safe as long as they are on the bike. So they obviously can be used more than once. Then you may want to know how to keep those things in a good condition so that they are still work well nest time you need them. Polishing and cleaning cycling accessories after every use is a good way of making sure that they are always in good working order.

In cycling trips, a small glitch can cause a terrible accident on the track. So you definitely should bring them during your trips. If you do not know where to find good equipments for cycling the internet may be a good place to start looking. You will get to know what each piece of equipment does and how to maintain it.

Cycling for Health: Take Care of Yourself

Today’s world is not the same as in the past. People’s physical health has become the most concerned topic in the world. In nearly half of developed countries, 50 percent of people are obese or overweight. With obesity, diabetes and heart disease on the rise, now is the time to take control of your health, fitness and well-being. Cycling can be fun, low impact, inexpensive and helps improve health while controlling weight. So this sport is gradually becoming popular.
Cycling for Health
There are studies which suggest that cycling can improve mental abilities and a more positive attitude. So, in order to help you get into cycling, some professional guys provide some tips:

1. Make sure your bike fits: Finding the right bike fit is important for a comfortable ride.

2. Know your limits: If you can’t keep a smooth pedal stroke or you aren’t able to talk or take a full breath, slow down.

3. Cross-train for strength: Expert suggests adding lower body exercises such as single leg squats, lunges, jumping rope and running to build strength and power for cycling.

4. Eat for optimal energy: Professional cyclist Jade Wilcoxson knows firsthand the health benefits of cycling. Just five years ago, she was diagnosed as prediabetic. Jade took up cycling and quickly learned she had a talent for racing. To feel her best, Jade recommends a diet high in protein, fruits and vegetables.

5. Prepare nutritionally for a long ride: Rigorous rides lasting more than two hours, your body will need about 250 to 300 calories every 45 minutes to an hour. Sports gels or small snacks that incorporate lean protein and carbohydrates can be smart choices.

6. Enjoy it: This the main reason to cycling. The best thing about it is that just about anyone can do it, at any level, and still have fun. You control how hard or easy your workout is. Just enjoy it as a dreamy travel.

Cycling – Second Life on the Bike

Cycling is a second life for many cyclists outside of the everyday life. They are doctors, civil servants, business owners, returned overseas Chinese, students…in daily lives and works; they wear different clothes, play different roles. They make efforts to in their fields. But from the moment when they put on the cycling jerseys and set their feet on the bike pedals, they have only one identity, which are the riders.

On the asphalts that exude heat and in the mountains of the vast rocks, they wantonly indulge their passion and laughter. Those little bikes lead them to find a door to another world, their second lives.
Cycling
When you set foot on the bike and cycling on the highway or country road, watching the passing scenery along the way and feeling the wind whistling in the ears, a comfortable feeling of freedom will spontaneously fulfill your mind. On the road, you can shout and laugh without any limits. You can also make many friends. Maybe you will come across a friend and you chat about all the things you can think about, and you will wave farewell before leaving. Perhaps you will not meet each other again in your life, but you do left some good memories.

When you come to a city, what is the first thing you will do? Maybe a rider will tell you that it is to find cyclists. I still remember that when speaking of the feelings of cycling, he told me that “it just like flying”, with his face full of happiness.

When talked about the reasons of cycling, many people told me it’s just for being free. However, what I want to tell you is that once you choose what to do, please stick to it. Cycling is a good exercise that you might probably be addictive to it. Actually, it’s ok because you know you will do it with all your might, as you will do to chase your dreams. Just bring your bike and start to creat your second cycling life now!

Cycling Classroom: These Equipments Can Protect You

To participate in cycling activities, you must wear the necessary safety protective equipments to prevent bodily injury caused by accident.

Cycling Clothes

If you’re just jumping on your bike to run to the local grocery store, it’s probably not necessary to get outfitted in all your cycling gear. However, if you’re heading out for a long Saturday afternoon ride, it’s in your best interest to make sure you’re wearing the correct cycling clothing. They may not be the most flattering, but skin-tight shorts are hands down the most comfortable thing to wear on long bike rides. They can also support your muscles, increase blood flow while you’re riding, and lead to less chaffing and irritation.


Riding Helmet

There are always many cyclists put their cycling pictures on the internet, some of the pictures are about the injuries during cycling. They are actually trying to warn riding friends to wear a helmet through their lessons of blood. Helmets can prevent hits by leaves and even flying stones to protect our fragile heads.

Riding Glasses

Many cyclists have this kind of experience: your eyes tears because of the wind and they will feel uncomfortable because of dust or other things. Riding glasses can greatly protect your eyes from harm and make your sight uninterrupted. The well-known brands of riding glasses have the best effect, but they are often too expensive. You can just buy a pair of ordinary sports glasses in the optical shop.

Knee and Elbow Pads

Any sports have risks; we should know how to protect ourselves during cycling trips. For cycling beginners, it is very easy to roll-over. After your knees, elbows have been hit, the knee and elbow pads can protect the body from been hurt.

Do Not Underestimate the Role of Cycling Jersey

As you probably know that Canada had developed a law says that all riders must wear helmets during the cycling. We know it is for security reasons. Many people may think that compared to helmets, cycling clothes are not so necessary. So many cyclists, even new cyclists do not wear the cycling jerseys during their trips. And for other cyclists, this there will always be a question on their mind.

However, if you have decided to start cycling, whether it is for fitness or fun, you should wear custom cycling uniforms or standard cycling gear instead of just throw on any old shirt and shorts.
Cycling Jersey
One of the mistakes people make is to categorize themselves based on their physical characteristics when deciding what type of cycling apparel to wear. They put themselves into categories such as tall vs. short, or fat vs. skinny. But the fact remains that a baggy shirt has the same negative effect on your cycling whether it is worn by a person who is fat, skinny, tall or short. Custom cycling clothing will benefit everyone no matter what their body size or shape.

The same applies for those who categorize themselves based on their intentions when taking up cycling. Whether you are a casual cycling, a cycling enthusiast, or intend to become a competitive cyclist, the cycling apparel you wear does have an impact. So regardless of whether you cycle competitively, for pleasure, or for fitness, you should always consider wearing custom cycling uniforms.

Custom cycling uniforms are designed to match the riders exact body shape, and therefore have numerous benefits over regular clothes, or any standard cycling gear found in the shops. Of course the standard cycling wear is preferred over regular clothes, but garments fitted correctly are worth their weight in gold.

Therefore, buying yourself a cycling jersey is very necessary even you are a new cyclist. Do not underestimate the role of the jersey.